would raid sheep-folds and devour all the livestock (the sheep) within. When chased, it retreated into the River Huisne and caused a flood, ruining the crops and bringing famine to the populace. Borges's claims that the monster "shot out flames that withered crops" is echoed by the poet Claud Roy's description that the velue "set crops on fire with its flame-throwing mouth". It would snatch also human victims to devour, especially children and young maidens. After it captured the most virtuous maiden named l'Agnelle ("Little Lamb"), it was finally defeated by her fiancé who took his sword and struck the tail, which was the only vulnerable point on the beast, causing immediate death. The spot where it died was at the bridge of Yvré-l'Évêque, according to popular tradition. The victory was long celebrated afterwards at La Ferté-Bernard and Connerré, and the people stuffed (or embalmed) the body of the beast, so it has been told. Etymology Its name is derived from this shaggy appearance. Iconography A drawing of a velue is found on the cover of the aforementioned 1889 French pamphlet. Another illustration of the velue occurs in Jean Paul Ronecker's book on dragons (2004).<ref>Ronecker, Jean Paul (2004) Le Dragon', p. 32. Cited by , fig. 6</ref> A terra cotta dragon dated to the 17–18th century held by the abbey of Tuffé was attached with the claim that it depict a velue; the piece was discovered in a ditch along the road to La Chapelle-Saint-Rémy. Also at Tuffé, a velue fountain has been installed in 2007, on the open square facing the Église Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul. In popular culture A game app named "Baldik" featuring combat with the velue that reappeared in the town's Perche Émeraude landmark has been developed by the office of tourism of La Ferté-Bernard. The outer shell of the final boss of SquareSoft's Chrono Trigger, Lavos, resembles the Peluda. The Peluda also appears in The Secret Saturdays''. See also Gargouille Tarasque External links Explanatory notes References Citations Bibliography 3p , under "La Velue, monstre de la Vallée de l'Huisne". French legendary creatures European dragons Mythological hybrids Sarthe